Two-step tumor imaging and treatment using lead-203 and lead-212
Radiotheranostic host:guest pretargeting with Pb-203 and Pb-212
This project pairs a tumor-targeting antibody with a tiny radioactive 'guest' to first image cancers with lead-203 and then treat them with lead-212 while trying to spare healthy organs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11286852 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers attach a non-immunogenic 'host' molecule to antibodies that find a tumor and later give a small radioactive 'guest' that binds tightly to the host only at the tumor site. The imaging version uses 203Pb so doctors can see where the antibody went, and the therapy version uses 212Pb to deliver focused radiation to the tumor. The system is designed to be modular so it could work with different antibodies and radionuclides and to avoid extra clearing drugs that add complexity and side effects. Early work will measure how well the approach concentrates in tumors and how much radiation reaches normal organs to judge safety and readiness for translation toward humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers that express the antibody target (for example CD66e or other antigens used with the platform) and who are eligible for radionuclide-based therapies would be the likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express the chosen target antigen or who cannot tolerate radionuclide therapies are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make antibody-based imaging and radionuclide therapy more precise and reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissues.
How similar studies have performed: Related pretargeting methods have shown modest success in lowering off-target radiation, but this cucurbit[7]uril–adamantane host:guest approach is novel and has not yet been proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Houghton, Jacob — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Houghton, Jacob
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.